Carrier for ceremonial apparel

ABSTRACT

A white-fabric carrier for ceremonial apparel comprising a panel having its short ends doubled over and fixed adjacent its center axis thereby forming a fold axis. The carrier further comprises a plurality of pockets. The pockets may open adjacent the fold axis or away from the fold axis. The pockets may overlap one another. The carrier may be draped along its fold axis on the back, up-turned seat, or arm rest of a chair or bench in order to conveniently dispense the ceremonial apparel from its pockets. The pockets may comprise fasteners and may be lined and comprise ornamental needlework.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

None

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention is related to carriers for ceremonial apparel. More particularly, this invention is related to white-fabric carriers for ceremonial apparel having pockets suitable for dispensing ceremonial apparel while being draped over the back, arm rest, or upturned seat of a bench or chair.

Carriers for ceremonial apparel usually consist of fabric envelopes having one large pocket closed by a flap. The envelopes may also be of clear or opaque plastic material. The envelope may be hand carried into the ceremonial room and laid on a bench or chair while the ceremonial apparel is dispensed therefrom. The handling of the ceremonial apparel in this manner is often inconvenient, awkward, and disorganized. Often the ceremonial apparel is allowed, intentionally or unintentionally, to fall onto the floor during the dressing process. This is undesirable in view of the sacred nature of the ceremonial apparel.

What is needed is a carrier for ceremonial apparel that may be draped over the back, arm rest, or upturned seat of a bench or chair for convenient dispensing of the ceremonial apparel therefrom.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention presents a white-fabric carrier for ceremonial apparel comprising a panel having its short ends doubled over and fixed adjacent its center thereby forming a fold axis. The carrier further comprises a plurality of pockets. The pockets may open adjacent the fold axis or away from the fold axis. The pockets may overlap one another and may comprise fasteners. The carrier may be draped along its fold axis on the back, up-turned seat, or arm rest of a chair or bench in order to conveniently dispense the ceremonial apparel from its pockets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective diagram of an embodiment of the present invention closed for carrying.

FIG. 3 is a perspective diagram of an embodiment of the present invention draped over a chair.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention is a white-fabric carrier for ceremonial apparel comprising a panel having its short ends doubled over and fixed adjacent its center thereby forming a fold axis, the carrier further comprising a plurality of pockets, whereby the carrier may be draped along its fold axis in order to dispense the ceremonial apparel from its pockets.

Ceremonial apparel may be given high regard and even considered sacred and comprises robes, girdles, sashes, aprons, veils, hats, slippers, stockings, dresses, trousers, shirts, ties, belts, ties, blouses, and handkerchiefs. Generally, it may comprise a white fabric. The white color of the fabric used in ceremonial apparel may be symbolic, representing a condition of cleanliness, purity of thought and deed, unanimity of purpose, modesty, virtue, and equality among peers. The carrier from which the ceremonial apparel may be dispensed should not detract from the ceremony and the significance of the ceremonial apparel. Because of its relationship with the ceremonial apparel, the carrier may be given the same or similar consideration as that of the ceremonial apparel. Therefore, the carrier should be of a white fabric, also.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 comprises a white-fabric panel 10 having its short ends 11 and 12 doubled over and attached near the center of panel 10, forming sub-panels 16 and 21, respectively, and a fold axis 13 The fold axis 13 may be further reinforced with additional fabric and stitching. The fold axis defines a convenient and natural method for draping the carrier over the back, up-turned seat, or arm rest of a chair or bench. As depicted, sub-panels 16 and 21 hang loose from panel 10. However, sub-panels 16 and 21 may be attached along the perimeter of panel 10. Although not shown in FIG. 1, sub-panels 16 and 21 may comprise one or more pockets.

The embodiment depicted in FIG. 1 may further comprise pockets 14, 15, and 18 attached to panel 10 and opening adjacent fold axis 13. Although not shown, some pockets may open opposite the fold axis. The pockets may serve as storage receptacles for ceremonial clothing. Any of the pockets in the carrier may be divided into sub-pockets. For example, divider 17 divides pocket 15 from pocket 18. Some of the pockets of the carrier of the present invention may overlap other pockets. For example pocket 19 overlaps pocket 14. As will be shown in FIG. 2, side 23 of the carrier may be tucked into pocket 19 past opening 20 in order to close the carrier for transport.

The panel and pockets may comprise fasteners selected from the group consisting of buttons, pearl buttons, zippers, tabs, snaps, ties, Velcro, hooks, and flaps. Further the pockets may comprise a lining.

The panel and its respective pockets may be constructed using a variety of stitches selected from the group consisting of single stitches, double stitches, overlapping stitches, and zigzag stitches.

The panel and pockets may be decorated with decorative stitching, monograms, needlepoint, appliqué, and embroidery.

The panel and pockets may comprise decorative lace.

The panel and pockets of the white fabric may be selected from the group of natural and synthetic fibers consisting of cotton, wool, silk, linen, polyester, rayon, orlon, nylon, tweed, burlap, woresteds, canvas, denim, and blends and combinations thereof. It may be desirable to construct the carrier from a plastic material, also.

FIG. 2 is a perspective diagram of an embodiment of the present invention depicting the carrier for ceremonial apparel folded closed along its fold axis 13. Side 23 has been inserted into pocket 19 past opening 20. A pocket 24 having an opening away from fold axis 13 has been added to sub-panel 16. The opening of pocket 24 is overlapped by pocket 19, which serves to close the opening when the carrier is being transported. Ceremonial apparel stored in pocket 24 may be removed from the carrier before the carrier is opened and draped preparatory to dispensing additional ceremonial apparel.

The panel and pockets may be constructed from a white-fabric that is tightly woven.

The panel and pockets may be constructed from a white-fabric that is loosely woven.

The white-fabric panel and pockets may be constructed by means selected from the group consisting of macramé, crochet, and knitting.

FIG. 3 is a perspective diagram of a ceremonial chair having an up-turned seat 26 with carriers 27 and 28 of the present invention draped along their respective fold axis on the back 25 and up-turned seat 26. Similarly, if the chair were a bench, the carrier of the present invention could be draped over its back or arm rest. 

1. A white-fabric carrier for ceremonial apparel comprising a panel having its short ends doubled over and fixed adjacent its center thereby forming a fold axis, the carrier further comprising a plurality of pockets, whereby the carrier may be draped along its fold axis in order to dispense the ceremonial apparel from its pockets.
 2. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the fold axis is reinforced.
 3. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the pockets open adjacent the fold axis.
 4. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the pockets open away from the fold axis.
 5. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the pockets overlap one another.
 6. The carrier of claim 1, wherein one doubled over short end is inserted into an overlapping pocket.
 7. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the pockets comprise fasteners selected from the group consisting of buttons, pearl buttons, zippers, tabs, snaps, ties, Velcro, hooks, and flaps.
 8. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the pockets comprise a lining.
 9. The carrier of claim 1 comprising stitching selected from the group consisting of single stitches, double stitches, overlapping stitches, and zigzag stitches.
 10. The carrier of claim 1 comprising decorative stitching.
 11. The carrier of claim 1 comprising a monogram.
 12. The carrier of claim 1 comprising lace.
 13. The carrier of claim 1 comprising needlework ornamentation.
 14. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the ceremonial apparel dispensed from the pockets comprises robes, girdles, sashes, aprons, veils, hats, slippers, stockings, dresses, trousers, shirts, ties, belts, ties, blouses, and handkerchiefs.
 15. The carrier of claim 1 draped over the back, up-turned seat, or arm rest of a chair or bench.
 16. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the white fabric panel is selected from the group of natural and synthetic fibers consisting of cotton, wool, silk, linen, polyester, rayon, orlon, nylon, tweed, burlap, woresteds, canvas, denim, and blends and combinations thereof.
 17. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the white-fabric panel is tightly woven.
 18. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the white-fabric panel is loosely woven.
 19. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the white-fabric panel is selected from the group consisting of macramé, crochet, and knitting. 